The movie Top Gun turned 25 last week. If, like me, you saw it at a cinema when it was first released, you’re feeling a little bit *mature* right now.
Let me paint you a picture. I’m an impressionable (oh ok, not so impressionable as I’d done a year and a half at university so had successfully passed Drinking 101 and was currently topping the class in Partying 202). Regardless, I still have the image of Tom Cruise wearing only undies, a shirt and a pair of Ray-Bans in Risky Business running through my head. This is a long, long time before he jumped on Oprah’s couch.
It was the mid-’80s and Tom had that something. The something everyone – including, as it turned out, Nicole Kidman – wanted.
In Top Gun, you got that something combined in a package that included the hottest uniform and the most testosterone-filled job in the universe. Swoon. Suddenly I wanted a black leather jacket and a pair of Aviator Ray-Bans to replace the Wayfarers I bought after Risky Business.
Tom Cruise in Top Gun
Top Gun also initiated my obsession with Meg Ryan, particularly her hair. Never could work that short, shaggy look though. When she pulled the “Goose, you big stud, take me to bed or lose me forever” line, my girl crush was sealed.
Tom Cruise, Meg Ryan and Anthony Edwards in Top Gun
And who could forget the beach volleyball scene? I haven’t.
Vil Kilmer as Iceman. In THAT beach volleyball scene
After seeing the movie with a group of uni friends back in 1986, my then-boyfriend made like my bogan Datson 180B car was a fighter plane, testing out his need for speed on the heavily-speed-bumped university ring road. Thankfully, no crash and burn. But I did wish for an ejector seat.
Where were you when you first saw Top Gun? Do you think it was the greatest movie every made? Or is that just my husband?
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It was a Saturday afternoon, I was eight and holidaying on the Gold Coast with the fam. For some reason mum and dad decided to take my sister and I to the flicks to see a double-header of Eddie Murphy’s Golden Child, followed by a truly life-changing event. So, so much of the film went straight over my head, but I was hooked forever. “Ghostrider this is Maverick requesting a fly by…”
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OMG, my husband has commented on my blog. Took posting about his favourite music to make it happen!
Best. Movie. Ever. If that photo of the beautiful Tom Cruise doesn’t bring a smile to the face, nothing will 🙂
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Just my little community service for today 😉
Nikki,
I’m hearing you about the aviators. Love them.
But Tom Cruise, well…I’ve always got kindof gay vibes…
Just sayin’
XA
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I was too young and naive to get any gay vibes!
It cannot have been 25 years ago! Crickey…
I have to admit that I did replace the Wayfarers with the Aviators and I bought a leather bomber jacket. Pathetic.
Did it have some good lines? Sure did. Was it the best movie ever.? No way.
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Yep, scary when you do the maths! Love it that you swapped sunnies and donned a leather bomber jacket. Great classic look.
I remeber my Mum sitting me down to watch that film. I would have been 12 the first time i saw it (in 2001) and I was just in awe of how cool everything about that film was…
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Now, that’s the test of a timeless movie!
Ooooh Top Gun. Loved it.
We were in the “big city” (Newcastle!) for a school netball tournament so our team all went to see it after our games…we had to line up down the cinema stairs and out the door to get in, it was that popular.
I also hosted a slumber party when it came out on video and we watched it several times in the one night. Country town. Not much else going on!
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I still love watching it. Suspect husband will get DVD out tonight!
It does suck that Tom Cruise went couch jumping mental, because he’s such a great actor. Oh Top Gun, the music, the bods, the jokes. One of the best. Ever. xx
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Definitely, and let’s not forget, the soundtrack. Take my Breath Away by Berlin (’80s gold!)
LOL! I saw this on the news yesterday so we watched it with the kids. I also watched it at the movies as a teenager. The guys all went for the flying scenes and the girls…. well that volleyball scene has stood the test of time 🙂 I still love the soundtrack too.
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Don’t you just love a movie scene that stands the test of time? LOL.
“Show me the way home, baby!” Best lines in that movie!
Thanks also for brightening my Monday with *that* shot of Val Kilmer. Always thought he was way hotter than TC! Top Gun is in probably my top 3 favourite movies ever. Seen it so many times I’ve lost count. I first saw it at the movies too, there was nothing like it.
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Nothing like it, Erica. Was so stoked when it came out on video with capacity to pause the movie in *that* scene!